Electric erasers



June 7, 1966 w, DlccRTE 3,254,629

ELECTRIC ERASERS Filed NOV. 26, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

FRANK W. DICORTE ATTY.

June 7, 1966 w, DICORTE 3,254,629

' ELECTRIC ERASERS Filed Nov. 26, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 4 FIG. 6

INVENTOR.

FRANK W. DICORTE June 7, 1966 F. w. DICORTE 3,254,629

ELECTRIC ERASERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 26, 1963 F IG. 9 FIG.

INVENTOR.

FRAN K W. DICORTE June 7, 1966 F. w. DICORTE ELECTRIC ERASERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed NOV. 26, 1963 INVENTOR.

FRANK W. DICORTE ATTY.

United States Patent 3,254,629 ELECTRIC ERASERS Frank W. Dicorte, Dallas County, Tex. (340 Custer, Apt. 22, Richardson, Tex.) Filed Nov. 26, 1963, Ser. No. 325,935 10 Claims. (Cl. 120-36) This invention relates generally to equipment used by draftsmen, artists and skilled craftsmen in making and correcting drawings.

More particularly the invention relates to a method and a device for reducing the time required for completion of inked or other drawings that utilize a wet medium such as India ink or paints in making the drawing.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a method and a device by which, after the wet medium is placed on a drawing, the drying time of the medium is reduced by several hundred percent.

Another object is to provide a device which is an ac cesory attachment for an automatic electric erasing machine and which is compatible with standard existing models of such machines.

' A further object is to provide an attachment for electric erasers which is capable of supplying air under pressure, a vacuum, or a hot air flow selectively as desired.

And yet another object is to provide a method and device by which a directional heated or regular air flow may be obtained to facilitate continuous drying of a drawing made with a wet medium without attention from the draftsman.

And a still further object is to provide a unique attachment for a standard electric eraser which does not require any additional power equipment to operate but which uses the same motor already available in the eraser as its power source.

An additional object is to provide an attachment for an electric eraser that employs two functional connections, one for pressure and one for a vacuum operation.

And another object is to provide an attachment for an electric eraser that is easy to install, simple to operate,

and extremely effective for its purpose, and durable in operation.

And another object is to provide a unique plastic attachment for the purpose intended which may be installed and removed readily without the use of tools of any sort.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an electric eraser assembly which includes means for supporting itself on an inclined surface containing a drawing and means for creating and directing a flow of compressed air toward moist locations on the drawing.

These and other objects will be apparent from an examination of the following specification and drawing in which:

FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention in an operating position.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of that part of the invention of FIG. 1 that holds the eraser in an operating condition during use.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an accessory unit for attaching to standard commercial electric erasers.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of an accesory unit such as shown in FIG. 3 (with the internal parts removed for clarity), but adapted for installation on one type of commerical electric eraser.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of an accessory unit such as shown in FIG. 3 (with the internal parts removed for clarity), but adapted for installation on another type of commercial electric eraser.

drawing board D, its shaft FIG. 7 isa cross-sectional view taken along the lines of 7-7 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the end of said one type of commercial electric eraser to which the accessory unit of FIGS. 4 and 5 is adapted to be attached.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the accessory unit of FIGS. 4 and FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the end of said other type of commercial electric eraser unit to which the assessory unit of FIGS. 6 and 7 is adapted to be attached.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the accessory unit of FIGS. 6 and 7 installed on the eraser of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a unitary electric eraser in-conponating the concept of this invention in an integral assembly.

FIG. 13 is an elevational view, partly in cross-section of the device of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a circuit diagram showing the dual switch electrical control arrangement for the device of FIGS. 12 and 13.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference of the drawing, it will be observed that the preferred embodiment of this invention is the accessory assembly as identified at 2 in FIG. 1. This assembly 2 comprises an accessory unit 3, similar to that shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and a cooperating switch stand 4. In operation the accessory unit 3 functions in the manner described hereinafter for the unit of FIGS. 4 and 5 to deliver pressurized air out nozzle 5 and if desired through hose 6 to the location desired. Switch stand 4 simultaneously supports a standard eraser 8 and the assembly 2 on an inclined drafting board D and maintains the eraser switch 9 in a closed position so that power is delivered for continuous operation of the unit 3. With nozzle 5 pointed in the proper direction, obtained by rotating eraser 8 in switch stand 4, air will be directed to the desired location without the use of hose 6.

The switch stand 4 may be constructed of plastic material, sothat it may be moved along the slight taper of housing 12 until a position is reached (shown in FIG. 1) where the inner circumference .13 of stand upright 7 en gages the periphery of housing 12. At this position, a portion of the inner circumference engages and depresses the switch 9 to its closed position. The enlarged base'14 is adapted to engage the flat surface of the drawing board D, so that the cylindrical eraser 8 is prevented from rolling off the inclined drawing board and held at a stationary location even while it is running. The lips 15 formed by the notches 16 at the inner circumference 13 are slightly flexible and will all bend back under axial pressure as seen in FIG. 1, except the one lip over the switch 9. The one lip, 15a, remains straight and engages and holds the switch 9 in its closed position as shown in FIG. 1. Since the eraser element 16 is thus supported above the 17 may rotate freely without interference. This facility as will be shown later, permits the nozzle 5 (and, if desired, the hose'6) to be used to direct pressurized air to locations on a drawing sheet where pressurized air is desiredto remove eraser dust, to dry India ink, or for other purposes.

. FIG, 3 represents a top plan view of the accessory unit 3 of FIGS. 1 and 5, and also, since in the top view the units appear identical, it may represent the top view of the accessory unit 18 of FIGS. 6 and 7. Both unit 3 and and unit 18 include a horizontable extending tangential nozzle 5 and a vertically extending axial nozzle 19. Each nozzle includes an enlarged circumferential lip 22 and 23 respectively for the nozzles 5 and 19. When nozzle 19 is attached to hose 6 for vacuum operation, a refuse bag 20, as shown in FIG. 3 may be attached to nozzle 5. The ver- 5 installed on the eraser of tical nozzle 19 is part of a conical shaped cover 24 of a plastic or other suitable material which includes a pcripherial groove 25 that engages the upper housing halfsection 26 of unit 3 or unit 18 and permits easy removal when greater intake area is desired. The lower housing half-sections of unit 3 and 18 are identified by different reference numbers 27 and 28 respectively, since their construction is different. Lower housing half-section 27 of unit 3 is seen in FIGS. 4 and to include a generally cylindrical impeller housing that merges into nozzle 5 at one portion thereof, and .which includes a series of depending L-shaped cross-section lips 29 separated by notches 32 and each having an arcuate tip 33 which if joined would form continuous circle of a diameter indicated at d The lower housing half-section 28 of unit 18 is seen in FIGS. 6 land 7 to include a generally cylindrical impeller housing that merges into its nozzle 5 at one portion thereof, and which includes four depending catches 34 spaced in a circular arrangement that is concentric with the depending circular shell 35.

The accessory units 3 and 18 each include an internal impeller 36 and 37 of a similar configuration. Each impeller includes a series of radially extending blades 38 and 39 respectively, which are joined by horizontally extending arms 42 and 43 to central stub shafts 44 and 45 respectively. The shafts 44 and 45 each include hollow upper ends 46 and 47 respectively and each include split lower ends 48 and 49 for insertion into the hollow central shaft of their respective eraser units. The hollow upper ends 46 and 47 are for the purpose of utilizing a pencil sharpener attachment (not shown) with the eraser assembly of this invention.

In FIGS. 8 and 9, details of the installation of the accessory unit 3 of FIGS. 4 and 5 onto a standard electric eraser may be observed. Similarly in FIGS. and 11, the installation details of the accessory unit 18 of FIGS. 6 and 7 onto another standard electric eraser may be seen. In FIG. 8 the top of the eraser 52 is seen to include a pair of concentric circular members 53 and 54 connected by arms 51 to a central disk member 55. The disk member 55 defines an opening 56 through which the hollow shaft 57 of the eraser 52 is visible. The split end 48 of the impeller 36 of accessory unit 3 is of the proper dimension to tightly engage the inner preiphery 58 of the eraser shaft 57 at installation. Thus the impeller 36 is power rotated from the electric motor driven shaft 57 of electric eraser 52. The lower depending lips 29 of accessory unit 3 are of a dimension and flexibility such that they may be forced into and out of engagement with the circular member 54 and such that the notches 32 avoid interference by the arms 51. When the lips 29 and end 48 are engaged as described, the peripheral member 53 will abut the underside of housing 27 to provide a snug engagement between the accessory unit 3 and the eraser 52 and thus form an operating unit.

Similarly, FIG. 10 represents the top of another standard electric eraser 62 which is generally octagonal in shape at its largest dimension as indicated by the flats 6-3. However, the fiats 63 terminate in a circular ring 64, and the remaining external portion of the top section is made up of radial structures 70 that incline up to and join a conical member 66 that includes a central disk section 67 and thus define thin radial openings 65. The central disk section includes a central opening 68 through which is visible the electric motor driven shaft 69 of electric eraser 62. The dimensions of accessory unit 18 are such that split end 49 will firmly engage the inner periphery of hollow shaft 69, and the catches 34 are so located that they may be forced into and out of engagement with the periphery of conical member 66 of eraser 62. The peripherial spacing of catches 34 is suchas to easily engage openings 65 and to avoid interference with structures 70 at installation.

The operation of both impellers 36 and 37 is begun when the switch is closed to rotate the eraser main shaft -is removed) and discharge air out their tangential discharge nozzles 5. By attaching hose 6 to the pressure nozzle 5, pressurized air may be delivered in a more concentrated manner wherever desired. And by attaching hose 6 to the vacuum nozzle 19, a low pressure or vacuum effect may be obtained where desired. With the use of switch stand 4, either a pressure or suction may be obtained on a continuous basis while the draftsman is 0ccupied with other tasks. Or he may utilize the eraser element 16 by holding the entire eraser on his hand, as is customary, and then set the eraser on the drawing board on its already attached stand 4 and/or use the hose 6 as desired. When it is not desired to have the eraser shaft rotating, the switch stand 4 may be moved axially toward the eraser element 16 until the switch 9 is moved by its own internal spring to its open position.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12-14, an electric eraser incorporating the concepts of this invention in an integrated unit may be observed. This embodiment is particularly useful when it is desired to deliver immediately heated as well as pressurized air from nozzle 105. The conventional internal construction of the eraser identified at 72 corresponds to that of eraser 52. However eraser 72 is equipped with two switches 73 and 74 in place of the single switch of eraser 52. Switch 74, when closed causes motor 75 to rotate and drive shaft 76 and consequently eraser element 16 in a conventional manner. Also at this time, shaft 76 causes impeller 77 to rotate and deliver pressurized air through nozzle 105 and pull in air through the opening 78 between upper housing 79 and central disk member 82 supported by arms 83. Switch 73 completes a parallel circuit through heater coil 84 which is supported on insulating members 85 in nozzle and in the path of the discharging air. Insulated leads 86 deliver electric power to the heater coilonly when both switches 73 and 74 are closed. This provides a safety feature and prevents overheating of coil 84 and possible fire danger if switch 73 were inadvertently left closed. The motor air vents of this embodiment and the vents 10 and 11 in FIGS. 9 and 11 permit a portion of the air to be used to cool the eraser motor. This will also result in a limited amount of heating to the air after the motor warms up. i

In each of the accessory units described, the top halfsection such as 26, is joined to thebottom half-section such as 27 by matching flange joints such as that shown at 90 in the figures. However, in the embodiment of FIGS. 12-14, the lower half-section is part of the eraser body and is made of metal, so that its metal top halfsection 26 may threadedly engage its lower section or be connected by other means.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that there has been produced a device which substantially fulfills the objects of the invention as set forth herein. The invention is not limited to the exemplary construction herein shown and described, but may be made in many ways within the spirit of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an electric eraser assembly having an eraser body, a power driven shaft extending through the body, an eraser element at one end of the body adapted to be rotated by the shaft; an air controlling and directing unit at the other end powered by said shaft and means in said controlling and directing unit to direct air from said body in a direction substantially normal to the axial direction of said shaft, and for the purpose of applying pressurized air for utility purposes at a location remote from said eraser body, and removable means to support said eraser from an inclined surface.

2. An electric eraser assembly including an eraser body, a power driven shaft extending through the body, an

eraser element at one end of the body adapted to be rotated by the shaft; an air handling unit having an intake and a discharge nozzle at the other end powered by the shaft, and means to direct the air to and from said air handling unit selectively.

3. An accessory unit for an electric eraser comprising a housing, air handling means within said housing, an intake and discharge nozzle at one end of said housing, flexible means for selective attachment to either said intake or discharge nozzle, and means on said housing for manual and rapid attachment and removal of said accessory from an electric eraser.

4. An accessory element for an electric eraser assembly having an elongated portion and having a pivoted switch mounted in the elongated portion, comprising a relatively flat base and an upright portion defining an opening adapted to engage the elongated portion of the eraser, a portion of said element in the vicinity of said opening adapted to engage and depress said switch to its closed position.

5. An electric eraser assembly including an eraser body and including an electric circuit, a power driven shaft extending through the body, an eraser element atone end of the body adapted to be rotated by the shaft; an air impeller unit having an intake and discharge nozzle at the other end and powered by the shaft, and a heating element installed in said discharge nozzle and incorporated in said electric circuit switch means in said circuit whereby said heating element is operable only when said power shaft is operating, and whereby said power shaft is operable independent of said heating element.

6. An accessory unit for installation on an electric eraser having a power driven shaft, comprising a housing, means on said housing for tool-less attachment and removal from said electric eraser, an intake nozzle directing air into said housing in an axial direction, a discharge nozzle and hose directing air from said housing in a tangentialdirection for use at a remote location, and an air impeller in said housing and connected in an operating relation to said power driven shaft.

7. An accessory unit as in claim 6 wherein said power driven shaft includes a hollow portion and wherein said impeller includes a shaft having a hollow portion, and means in said impeller shaft adjacent said hollow power driven shaft to operatively couple said shafts together.

8. An accessory unit as in claim 7 wherein electric eraser includes receiving means and wherein said housing is comprised of a flexible material including attaching means for manual flexing to engage said receiving means on said electric eraser for a locking enagement.

9. An accessory unit as in claim 8 wherein said attaching means is adapted to engage said receiving means simultaneously with the engagement of said impeller shaft means with said hollow power driven shaft.

10. An accessory unit for installation on an electric eraser having a power driven shaft with an eraser element at one end of said shaft, comprising a housing, means on said housing for exclusively manually operable attachment and removal from said electric eraser, an impeller in said housing, means on said impeller for exclusively manually operable attachment and removal from said power shaft, and a discharge nozzle on said accessory unit to provide control and direction for air discharge from the interior of said unit, said unit being attached to the end of the electric eraser opposite to the end at which said eraser element is attached.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,133,942 3/1915 Di Salvio 15-330 X 1,866,368 7/1932 Oldenburg 31062 2,143,124 1/1939 Hall -36 2,185,042 12/1939 Strong 15344 X 2,753,434 7/1956 Storm 15344 X FOREIGN PATENTS 203,396 5/ 1959 Austria.

EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner.

LAWRENCE CHARLES, Examiner. 

1. IN AN ELECTRIC ERASER ASSEMBLY HAVING AN ERASER BODY, A POWER DRIVEN SHAFT EXTENDING THROUGH THE BODY, AN ERASER ELEMENT AT ONE END OF THE BODY ADAPTED TO BE ROTATED BY THE SHAFT; AN AIR CONTROLLING AND DIRECTING UNIT AT THE OTHER END POWERED BY SAID SHAFT AND MEANS IN SAID CONTROLLING AND DIRECTING UNIT TO DIRECT AIR FROM SAID BODY IN A DIRECTION SUBSTANTIALLY NORMAL TO THE AXIAL DIRECTION OF SAID SHAFT, AND FOR THE PURPOSE OF APPLYING PRESSURIZED AIR FOR UTILITY PURPOSES AT A LOCATION REMOTE FROM SAID ERASER BODY, AND REMOVABLE MEANS TO SUPPORT SAID ERASER FROM AN INCLINED SURFACE. 